CHP officer injured in crash on 78

ESCONDIDO (CNS) - A California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer suffered severe injuries today in a collision with an SUV near the intersection of state Route 78 and Interstate 15, authorities reported.

The lawman was headed east on SR-78 in western Escondido in heavy traffic when his Harley-Davidson rear-ended a Chevrolet Traverse east of Nordahl Road and toppled over shortly before 9 a.m., CHP public-affairs Officer Mark Latulippe said.

As the patrolman, a 21-year CHP veteran, slid across the roadway into a center-median area, a Subaru WRX sedan struck his motorcycle.

Witnesses, including a nurse, pulled over and provided first-aid to the injured officer prior to the arrival of paramedics, who took him to Palomar Medical Center for treatment of major leg trauma. The patrolman, whose name was not released, was listed in serious but stable condition, Latulippe said.

No other injuries were reported.

The cause of the accident – which forced a closure of all but one eastbound lane on SR-78 in the area until about 2 p.m. – remained under investigation in the late afternoon, the CHP spokesman said.

6:40 p.m. Tuesday: This story was updated with additional information from the CHP.